A COUNCILLOR has blasted a decision to allow the conversion of a Stalybridge pub into a house in multiple occupation (HMO).
Tameside Council originally said no to the Stocks Inn becoming an eight-unit property because of concerns over parking and outdoor amenity space.
However, Cheshire-based Morada Properties succeeded with an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate, with inspector Robert Major believes citing a lack of ‘detailed analysis.’
Council officers described the decision as, ‘disappointing,’ but it has enraged Cllr Doreen Dickinson, in whose Stalybridge South ward the site sits.
Even though it is understood it will house nurses and health professionals as the company has a contract with the NHS, fears over knock-on effects of the development sparked a reaction.
Cllr Dickinson said: “I don’t understand the decision.
“There is no mention at all of it being a one-way system around a small island. The inspector has totally disregarded the fact there is no amenity space, at all, they will just walk out on the pavement.
“There are two takeaways and they both have deliveries, so from 4pm onwards it’s absolutely heaving.
“I’m very disappointed. People in the area are very disappointed and I’m also disappointed for those who’ll live there.
“All they’ll have, as he says, is a big communal room, which our officers said would them feeling kind of institutionalised.
“That’s very true.”
Tameside Council dismissed the application, stating: “There is limited available on street parking in the immediate vicinity due to existing high vehicle parking demand on the surrounding streets from existing residential and commercial uses.
“Any additional overspill of on street parking generated by the scale of the proposed eight-bedroomed house in multiple occupation would result in double parking on both sides of the street.
“Consequently, the proposal would have a potentially detrimental impact on road safety and on the amenity enjoyed by road users and local residents.
“The development as proposed fails to provide adequate quality useable/dedicated proposed outdoor amenity space commensurate to the needs of the future residents.”
However, Mr Major – who said he visited the site – saw little evidence to corroborate those findings.
In a report, he said: “There appears to be no dispute that this eight-bedroomed HMO would create a demand for four additional car parking spaces.
“Nevertheless, the claims of the council are not supported by any detailed analysis of the existing situation.
“Consequently, there is no substantive evidence before me to demonstrate a current shortfall in spaces.
“Consequently, on the evidence before me, as well as my own observations on site, I find it is likely there would be an adequate number of on-street parking spaces available in the vicinity to cater for the additional parking demand.”